Page 25 of Pack of Crooks
“Amber, can you make sure there’s no one in the back?” Maddox asks.
Did I just become part of their crew? I glance at the dead body. I mean, I didn’t stop them. I’m definitely an accessory. Maybe he thinks I need a moment to collect myself or maybe they want to talk about something in private. Either way, I’m all for planget away from the dead body. Nodding, I carefully step over the glass and head to the back of the store. The backroom is like a hoarder’s paradise. Boxes and cases full of things from wall to wall with only a narrow passage that leads to a desk. I make my way toward it, spotting a thick pile of cash.
Hell yeah.
Magically, the money finds its way into my purse alongside the rings I’ve taken. It’s probably plenty for another grocery trip, and even enough to cover utilities. Rent, on the other hand. . . I’ll have to figure something else out.
The air shifts and suddenly vanilla and chocolate surround me. Before I can turn, Killian’s arms wrap around me and he buries his face in my neck, breathing me in with a soft groan of appreciation. “What did you steal?”
I spin in his hold, gazing up at him. “What makes you think I stole something?”
His gray eyes glitter with amusement. “Your bag is bulging.”
“And what about it?”
“Hasn’t anyone ever told you stealing is wrong?”
I scoff. He can’t be serious. “You’re no boy scout.”
“Mmm, I don’t know about that,” he murmurs. “I do like tying up pretty things.”
The air between us thickens.Is he saying he wants to tie me up? Yes, please.Heat crawls up my neck. “Are you flirting with me?” This is insane. Certifiable. I don’t understand what it is about him, or his pack, that is so compelling, like a puzzle that’s impossible to solve. I want to sit here and move the pieces around until it all makes sense. Until there’s a logical connection for this feeling between us.
“What if I am?” he murmurs, mouth inches from mine.
I lick my lips. “Then there’s something seriously wrong with you. Ron?—”
“Don’t say his name,” Killian says, voice low and dangerous.
A grin cuts across my face, and my stomach does a cartwheel. My favorite thing about alphas is how possessive they can be. “Why not?” I tease, tipping my head.
His gray eyes glitter with amusement. “Playing with fire?”
I’m desperate to burn. I shrug. “I’m wondering why you got all growly there for a second. And Hawk? You should have seen him in action.” My eyes rove over Killian’s face. “Why did you follow me?”
“I think,” he begins, and my heart flips, ready for him to declare his undying love, but much to my disappointment, he only says, “We should go get waffles.”
“You guys have a strange obsession with waffles.”
“We know a place.”
Someone clears their throat, and I look around Killian to find Bear and Hawk waiting, amusement tugging at their features. My stomach flutters and I do my best to act natural despite the very hot flush in my cheeks. What was I back here for? Oh, right. There’s a dead body. My bag is full of stolen goods. Someone could walk in at any second and that would end with me in the back of a cop car.
Where would that leave Lottie?
Reckless, horny omega. I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear and take a step away from Killian, though that doesn’t do much to ease the sexual tension. “Uh, there was no one in the back,” I tell Bear.
“Good. Hawk? The security footage?”
“Already taken care of,” Hawk says, gaze bouncing between me and Killian. “Hungry?”
Not for waffles. “I could eat.”
Add that statement to the list of questionable things I’ve done this week. Who’s hungry after watching a man die? It’s not normal, but I can’t remember the last time I felt normal. Mom made sure of that. Besides, I’m more than a little eager to hang out with the pack outside of committing crimes.
Killian’s phone beeps. “JJ’s here.”
“Let’s move.” Hawk turns, and Bear follows him out. Killian grabs my hand and draws me to the front, nodding at a man dressed in all black. The guy avoids eye contact, simply studying the scene and muttering a list of things to be done.
